Just a stunning decision on so many levels. Probably a major mistake as well.

On the flip side I do hope this means we get to see Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo in Mobile. Unlike McCarron I am sure a guy like Garoppolo would relish the opportunity to showcase his talent, answer questions that scouts have about his game and improve his draft stock.

Just a stunning decision on so many levels. Probably a major mistake as well.

On the flip side I do hope this means we get to see Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo in Mobile. Unlike McCarron I am sure a guy like Garoppolo would relish the opportunity to showcase his talent, answer questions that scouts have about his game and improve his draft stock.

Have to think McCarron has some medical issues he's dealing with. Either that or he's just getting real bad advice.

Just a stunning decision on so many levels. Probably a major mistake as well.

On the flip side I do hope this means we get to see Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo in Mobile. Unlike McCarron I am sure a guy like Garoppolo would relish the opportunity to showcase his talent, answer questions that scouts have about his game and improve his draft stock.

I've heard some rumors that AJ wasn't very well liked by his teammates. Saban was bent on changing the offense which may or may not have anything to do with QB play. I doubt these two hurt him but he has a mouthy mom and just broke up with his gf. I dont know just seems to be a lot of stuff going on with him. Any chance he drops alot before may?

Have to think McCarron has some medical issues he's dealing with. Either that or he's just getting real bad advice.

No Injury.

Here is an article with the family's explanation:

Quote:

Alabama QB AJ McCarron Declines Senior Bowl Invite
By Chase Goodbread

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron will not participate in the Reese's Senior Bowl, according to al.com. McCarron's choice to pass on the all-star game he grew up on in Mobile, Ala., will probably be criticized both locally and nationally -- and for different reasons -- but it was ultimately a business decision.

That's what his father, Tony, essentially said in describing what was a very tough call for his son.

"His agent thought that was best," Tony McCarron told College Football 24/7. "The reason AJ didn't say anything for sure before the bowl game is because he had already decided to put that decision in his agent's hands, but he didn't know who that was going to be yet. But that's the advice he got, and if you're going to pay those people, you've got to trust them. All I can say is, the people who criticize it don't have a thing to lose."

McCarron is a Mobile, Ala., native and grew up well aware of his hometown all-star game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Rosters often include a strong dose of talent from Alabama or Auburn, and Mobile natives such as McCarron are the favorites of local fans. McCarron's absence will break a streak of Senior Bowl quarterbacks who started at Alabama, from Brodie Croyle to John Parker Wilson to Greg McElroy. As such, it wasn't an easy decision for McCarron, a fifth-year senior who is proud of where he came from and has referred to himself as a "DIP kid" (Dauphin Island Parkway), the Mobile area he grew up in.

"I really appreciate being invited to play in the Senior Bowl," McCarron said. "It is quite an honor and something I've dreamed about while growing up in the Mobile area. However, at this time, I'm putting all of my focus and energy into preparing for the NFL Combine, pro day and the rest of the pre-draft evaluation process. Therefore, I won't be taking part in the Senior Bowl."

Tony McCarron said rumors that his son declined because he needs minor surgery are off base.

"I told a friend of mine, that must've been double-secret surgery, because I don't know anything about it," he said.

As for whether France delivered McCarron the right advice, NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt's reaction included recognition of both perspectives.

"He's proved an awful lot in his career at Alabama and been very successful," Brandt said. "The one thing about going to the Senior Bowl and throwing to receivers you're not familiar with, it sometimes does not bring out the best in you. Obviously, you would like to see him there, you'd like to see him perform under game conditions. But we've seen him over three years under game conditions and how he reacts. The only thing is that he's putting his eggs into one basket now, and that's the Combine. Brandt added: "Remember, too, that Geno Smith also didn't play in the Senior Bowl last year. So this isn't something that's unusual. It happens."

__________________
"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there." Elway's take on Lambert

The way I see it, the Senior Bowl has been far too much weight in evaluating. Many people literally use a few days of practice as a significant indicator of value which drastically alters a prospect's draft grade, sometimes by multiple rounds, even though these players have four years of experience in college football games to be evaluated on. For some players, such as those who didn't play against a high level of competition, the Senior Bowl is an opportunity to watch them against some top talent. But for a player like McCarron, who cares whether or not he accepted? He's been playing against some of the best defenses in the country for the past three years, operating in a pro-style offense. I think who he is as a player should be pretty clear to everyone by now. I'd much rather see someone like Garoppolo in there than McCarron.

The way I see it, the Senior Bowl has been far too much weight in evaluating. Many people literally use a few days of practice as a significant indicator of value which drastically alters a prospect's draft grade, sometimes by multiple rounds, even though these players have four years of experience in college football games to be evaluated on. For some players, such as those who didn't play against a high level of competition, the Senior Bowl is an opportunity to watch them against some top talent. But for a player like McCarron, who cares whether or not he accepted? He's been playing against some of the best defenses in the country for the past three years, operating in a pro-style offense. I think who he is as a player should be pretty clear to everyone by now. I'd much rather see someone like Garoppolo in there than McCarron.

I'd rather see Garoppolo as well.

In regards to McCarron, what I personally would have liked to see is how he handles himself outside of the Bama cocoon. What happens when he doesn't have Nick Saban? What happens when he doesn't have an NFL-quality offensive line or the best running game in the country? How does he handle adversity? Skipping also raises questions about his competitiveness. After all it's not like he's considered to be a first rounder by most and some feel he isn't even a second or third rounder. Only time will tell whether McCarron made the right decision but I have a feeling he is going to regret not taking advantage of the Senior Bowl opportunity.

The way I see it, the Senior Bowl has been far too much weight in evaluating. Many people literally use a few days of practice as a significant indicator of value which drastically alters a prospect's draft grade, sometimes by multiple rounds, even though these players have four years of experience in college football games to be evaluated on. For some players, such as those who didn't play against a high level of competition, the Senior Bowl is an opportunity to watch them against some top talent. But for a player like McCarron, who cares whether or not he accepted? He's been playing against some of the best defenses in the country for the past three years, operating in a pro-style offense. I think who he is as a player should be pretty clear to everyone by now. I'd much rather see someone like Garoppolo in there than McCarron.

This x100. AJ has played three years in the almighty SEC and the evaluation of his tape should be the greatest barometer. Choosing to wait for the Combine and Pro Day allow him to be in a more controlled environment than what the Senior Bowl may throw at him. I think he will show teams in his interviews how strong he is with the mental part of the game and during workouts he will show the adequate physical tools to be quarterback in the NFL. I still him going in the 2nd or high 3rd round.

McCarron will have a chance at the combine, assuming he participates, to answer all the critics. It would have been nice to see him at the Senior Bowl from a competitive standpoint but it's hardly necessary.

The top 3 guys at the position right now won't be in Mobile so it isn't the end all for evaluating talent.

I would certainly make a poor GM...Any player that turned down the opportunity to play in the Senior Bowl would just get marked off my draft board...Too chicken to compete in less than perfect conditions...Especially QB's and small school guys with very little top competition---McCarron and Mack would be scratched...

I would certainly make a poor GM...Any player that turned down the opportunity to play in the Senior Bowl would just get marked off my draft board...Too chicken to compete in less than perfect conditions...Especially QB's and small school guys with very little top competition---McCarron and Mack would be scratched...

If we were talking a prospect like Peyton Manning as a Senior, I could not fault them for skipping an all star game.

Senior Bowl is no longer a key for prospects. Thanked to hard rookie salary.

Today, all prospects will have a chance to improve themselves for better money during the rookie contract. If you are guaranteed to be drafted by 4th round then you have no reason to overwork yourself to climb into higher round.